noun
moat
moht
noun
1
A deep, wide ditch, usually filled with water, dug around a castle or fort for defence.
"Visitors crossed a wooden drawbridge over the moat to enter the castle."
2
A business advantage that protects a company from competitors.
"The brand's loyal customer base gives it a strong economic moat."
verb
1
To surround something with a moat.
"The estate was moated on all sides for extra security."
How to Use Moat
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA defensive ditch around a castle, or, in business, a lasting competitive advantage.
Common pairings
a castle moat
economic moat
competitive moat
Word Forms
moated past tense, moats plural, Moats plural, moats singular
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Visitors crossed a wooden drawbridge over the _____ to enter the castle.
Etymology
From Old French "mote," meaning "mound" or "embankment" — the meaning later shifted from the raised earthwork itself to the ditch dug around it. The business sense was popularized by the investor Warren Buffett.